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Striking problem as Adebayor is ruled out
James Olley05.11.08
Emmanuel Adebayor was today ruled out for up to three weeks with an ankle problem.
The Arsenal striker was already unavailable for tonight's Champions League clash with Fenerbahce but will now miss most of November, including Saturday's visit of Manchester United.
Adebayor's absence leaves Nicklas Bendtner as the Gunners' only fit recognised striker to face the champions, with Robin van Persie banned for three Premier League games after his sending off at Stoke.
Adebayor was carried off at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday following a tough tackle from Ryan Shawcross. Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna were also injured in that game, prompting Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to claim his players were deliberately targeted. But Stoke counterpart Tony Pulis today hit back at the Frenchman, claiming he was guilty of a U-turn after initially accepting defeat graciously.
He said: "In Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday evening, Mr Wenger talked openly about Arsenal's encounter with Stoke as being a 'typical English encounter'.
"He commended my team and confessed that on the day Stoke thoroughly deserved to win the game. Very open and very honest.
"In London 48 hours later and 150 miles away from Stoke-on-Trent, Mr Wenger changed tack and has tried to rewrite history."
Pulis insisted there was no way his players would deliberately set out to injure opponents. He added: "As for Rory Delap's challenges on Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna, Rory is as honest as they come.
"Further, as I recall, Emmanuel Adebayor was booked for a chest-high challenge on Ryan Shawcross."
Wenger today issued a rally cry to his players to rise above criticism of their recent form and do their talking on the pitch against Fenerbahce tonight.
His side's embarrassing 2-1 defeat by Stoke came just three days after letting a 4-2 lead slip in the dying moments to draw with Tottenham.
He said: "When you lose you have to listen to many things - some of them are right and many are wrong.
"It is down to me to analyse what could be right or wrong in there. I trust what I see and feel. It is more important for us to be calm, focused, let other people talk and then we can show on the pitch what we can do.
"I am confident we have the strength and quality and that we are united as a club and a team. That will come out in the end.
"We drew 4-4 against Tottenham but we had an outstanding performance. Let's re-establish what we have not done well recently, defend together as a team and continue to play in a positive way."
A win against Fenerbahce coupled with victory for Dynamo Kiev over FC Porto will see the Gunners qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Reader views (5)
I think they should stop moaning and just get on with it.
They face the same teams as everyone else yet they seem to do 90% of the winging.
I think they lack heart and for all their fancy play they can't finish off games when they need too.
It's the reason why they haven't won anything for the past three years.
Walcott is by far their best player this year.... Maybe they need some more UK players...
- Mark, st albans
I honestly believe we are 4-5 players away from a winning squad, not team....squad! Almunia, Gallas, Silvestre, Rosicky, Bentdner all out with Landreau(GK), Mexes(C/D), Inler(D/M), Afellay(A/M) and Huntelaar(F) all coming in! 1st Team: Fabianski, Sagna, Clichy, Toure, Mexes, Inler, Cesc, Diaby, Vanpersie, Afellay, Huntelaar. Subs: Landreau, Djourou, Denilson, Ramsey, Walcott, Adeyabor, Eduardo. Squad: Vito, Traore, Senderos, Gibbs, Song, Fran, Wishere, Barazite, Vela.
- Paul Newman, Milton Keynes
The truth of the matter is that Stokes players are honest professionals, but are fresh from the Championship where football is played at a slower pace than the premiership. This was clearly illustrated by Birmingham's Martin Taylor's leg breaking tackle on Eduado last season. This was not a malicious tackle, merely a cumbersome slow player outwitted by a superior player, as was Rory Delap by Walcott. What I cant comprehend is why our referees dont protect players by sending off the culprits. Arsenal are without Adebayor & Walcott, yet Delap & Shawcross are available to play.
- Rob Gooner, North London
thats the way the english play is confusion between rugby and football not nice to watch its dirty thats why we have so many foreing players hopefully we learn how to play football
- Av, london.uk
With United coming to London on saturday, Arsenal certainly need a result.
- Teresa, Norwich England
